EP4020514B1 - Electrical circuit breaker contact - Google Patents

Electrical circuit breaker contact Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4020514B1
EP4020514B1 EP21207156.7A EP21207156A EP4020514B1 EP 4020514 B1 EP4020514 B1 EP 4020514B1 EP 21207156 A EP21207156 A EP 21207156A EP 4020514 B1 EP4020514 B1 EP 4020514B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
contact body
electrical
longitudinal axis
abutment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP21207156.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP4020514A1 (en
Inventor
Anthony PAPILLON
Mathieu BONO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Schneider Electric Industries SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP4020514A1 publication Critical patent/EP4020514A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4020514B1 publication Critical patent/EP4020514B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
    • H01H33/664—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
    • H01H33/664—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings
    • H01H33/6643—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings having disc-shaped contacts subdivided in petal-like segments, e.g. by helical grooves
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/50—Means for increasing contact pressure, preventing vibration of contacts, holding contacts together after engagement, or biasing contacts to the open position
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/025—Terminal arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
    • H01H33/666—Operating arrangements
    • H01H33/6664—Operating arrangements with pivoting movable contact structure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
    • H01H33/662—Housings or protective screens
    • H01H33/66238—Specific bellows details
    • H01H2033/66246—Details relating to the guiding of the contact rod in vacuum switch belows

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of medium voltage vacuum interrupters, also called vacuum interrupters or vacuum interrupters.
  • Vacuum interrupters are used in medium voltage electrical distribution devices, ie from 1 to 52 kV. Vacuum interrupters are associated with actuators to interrupt the current in a part of the circuit.
  • a vacuum interrupter comprises two cut-off contacts arranged opposite each other.
  • Each cut-off contact comprises an electrical current supply rod, and a contact body secured to the rod.
  • the contacts are arranged in an envelope forming a sealed enclosure placed under vacuum. Contacts can be moved relative to each other. When the contacts press against each other, current can flow from one contact to the other. When the contacts are moved away from each other, the current is interrupted.
  • the object of the present invention is to improve the performance of this type of vacuum bulb.
  • the relative speed between the contacts when they come to rest against one another tends to cause a rebound phenomenon.
  • the continuity between the contacts is not ensured severely, and the distance between the electrical contacts tends to oscillate.
  • the bounce duration must remain below a certain limit, for example equal to 2 or 3 milliseconds. It is therefore interesting to propose a solution making it possible to reduce the duration of these rebounds as much as possible.
  • the contact body and the abutment surface are configured so that the contact body can have a bending movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
  • the contact body and the abutment surface are configured such that a portion of the contact body contacts the abutment surface upon bending of the contact body.
  • the electrical circuit of the vacuum interrupter when the electrical circuit of the vacuum interrupter is closed, that is to say when the movable contact of the vacuum interrupter touches the fixed contact, a shock is produced which tends to create a bounce.
  • the two contacts can move apart slightly, which favors a re-ignition of the electric arc.
  • This rebound phenomenon should be avoided.
  • the abutment surface of the rod radially exterior to the zone where the rod and the contact body are secured, is set back relative to the contact body.
  • the contact body is configured to bend when, when the vacuum bottle is closed, the contact body impacts a second contact body arranged opposite. This deformation by deflection of the contact body contributes to dissipating the energy of the impact with the second electrical contact, and thus to limiting the rebound phenomenon.
  • the characteristics listed in the following paragraphs can be implemented independently of each other or in any technically possible combination:
  • the rod and the contact body are electrically conductive.
  • the stem and the contact body are metallic.
  • the contact body is disc-shaped.
  • the stem is cylindrical.
  • the contact body is configured to contact at least a portion of the abutment surface upon bending of the contact body.
  • the first attachment surface and the second attachment surface are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
  • the second fixing surface is formed by a shoulder of the rod.
  • the first fixing surface and the second fixing surface are joined together by a solder.
  • a distance, measured along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, between the abutment surface and the contact body is between 0.2 millimeters and 1.0 millimeters.
  • This value of the axial play between the abutment surface and the contact body allows a deflection amplitude well suited to the energy to be dissipated during the impact between the electrical contacts.
  • the abutment surface comprises a plurality of abutment zones spaced from each other.
  • the abutment surface has four abutment zones.
  • At least one abutment zone extends from an outer edge of the upper in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the upper.
  • At least one abutment zone comprises an annular portion extending radially between a first distance from the longitudinal axis and a second distance from the longitudinal axis.
  • the first distance is less than or equal to the value of the rod radius.
  • the second distance is greater than the value of the radius of the second mounting surface.
  • the annular portion of the abutment zone extends in an angular sector of angular value between 15° and 45°.
  • the abutment surface is flat.
  • the abutment surface has a frustoconical shape.
  • the abutment surface and the attachment surface extend in parallel planes.
  • the rod has a groove adjacent to the second attachment surface.
  • the groove makes it possible to avoid a capillary effect which would cause a migration of solder from the first fixing surface towards the abutment surface.
  • At least one abutment zone is adjacent to a portion of the groove.
  • the contact surface is radially exterior to the first attachment surface.
  • the electric arc initiation zone is radially offset with respect to the center of the contacts. This makes it possible to increase the electrodynamic forces imposed on the initial arc and thus to increase its speed of rotation. In this way, the arc is quickly pushed out of the privileged mechanical contact zone constituted by the electric arc initiation zone, thus avoiding welding between the contacts. Therefore, the contact reopening force remains substantially constant during use.
  • the contact body has a thinned portion extending from the longitudinal axis.
  • the thinned portion may have a circular shape.
  • the thinned portion can be obtained by counterboring the contact body, centered on the longitudinal axis. In other words, the contact body has a blind recess centered on the longitudinal axis.
  • the abutment surface is level with the contact surface in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
  • the contact surface comprises a plurality of contact zones spaced apart from each other.
  • This configuration makes it possible to promote rapid movement of the arc in the initial phase of breaking or pre-striking on closing. This promotes both breaking performance and obtaining the weakest contact welding possible.
  • Each abutment zone is located opposite a contact zone in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
  • the contact body has a spiral configuration, the contact body having a disc shape comprising slots crossing the thickness of the disc, the slots extending from the periphery of the contact body towards the inside of contact body 3.
  • This configuration makes it possible to favor the creation of a radial magnetic field when an electric arc circulates between the breaking contacts.
  • the contact body comprises branches, each branch being between two consecutive slots.
  • the legs extend outward from a central portion, and include a curved edge.
  • the slots are curved according to the embodiment shown.
  • the slots form at the periphery of the disc an angle of between 30° and 50° with the radial direction.
  • the slots extend between a first end opening onto the periphery of the disc and a second end, and the slots form at the level of the second end an angle comprised between 70° and 90° with the radial direction.
  • the contact body comprises a beveled portion arranged in a radial direction outside the contact surface.
  • This shape makes it possible to avoid having the contact surface located at the periphery of the contact body. Thus, the moment of force necessary to break any welding between the contacts is minimized. The risks of plastic deformation of the contact body during the application of a force making it possible to separate the contacts are reduced. The ability to ensure opening of the vacuum interrupter is thus preserved.
  • the bevelled portion forms an angle of between 80° and 89° with the longitudinal axis.
  • the beveled portion extends from a radially outer edge of the contact surface towards the periphery of the contact body.
  • the contact body comprises an angular positioning hole and the stem comprises an angular positioning lug, the lug being inserted into the angular positioning hole.
  • the invention also relates to a vacuum interrupter comprising a fixed contact as described previously and a movable contact as described previously, the movable contact being movable between a position of contact with the fixed contact allowing passage of electric current and a remote position fixed contact preventing the passage of current.
  • first element or second element or else first parameter and second parameter, etc.
  • the purpose of this indexing is to differentiate between similar but not identical elements or parameters. This indexing does not imply a priority of an element, or parameter compared to another and one can interchange the denominations. When it is specified that a subsystem comprises a given element, this does not exclude the presence of other elements in this subsystem.
  • FIG. 1 represents a vacuum interrupter 100 comprising a fixed contact 1 which will be described later and a movable contact 11 which will also be described later.
  • the moving contact 11 is arranged opposite the fixed contact 1.
  • the two contacts 1, 11 are coaxial.
  • the movable contact 11 is movable between a position of contact with the fixed contact 1 allowing passage of electric current, and a position distant from the fixed contact 1 prohibiting a passage of current.
  • the left half of the figure 1 represents the contacts 1, 11 in the contact position.
  • the right half of the figure 1 represents the contacts 1, 11 in the remote position from each other, that is to say in the position where the flow of current is interrupted.
  • a control mechanism makes it possible to move the movable contact 11 so as to bring it to rest on the fixed contact 1, and also makes it possible to move it away in order to create a power cut.
  • the vacuum interrupter 100 is provided for a medium voltage switching device, that is to say a voltage between 1 kV and 52 kV.
  • the breaking device may for example be a circuit breaker, a disconnector or a switch.
  • the vacuum interrupter 100 comprises an envelope 29, forming a sealed vacuum enclosure. By this is meant that the pressure prevailing inside the enclosure is less than 10 -4 millibar.
  • a screen 28 is arranged opposite the cut-off contacts 1, 11 in a radial direction.
  • a bellows 27 ensures the movement of the movable contact 11 while ensuring the seal.
  • the electrical cut-off contact 1 comprises a current supply rod 2 and a contact body 3.
  • the rod 2 and the contact body 3 are electrically conductive.
  • Rod 2 and contact body 3 are metallic.
  • the second contact 11 comprises a rod 21 and a contact body 31.
  • the two contacts 1, 11 are constructed in a similar manner.
  • the rod 2 and the contact body 3 are integral, that is to say they are rigidly fixed to each other.
  • the contact body 3 has a first fixing surface 4 and the rod 2 has a second fixing surface 5.
  • the first fixing surface 4 and the second fixing surface 5 are joined here by a solder.
  • the first fixing surface 4 and the second fixing surface 5 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.
  • the contact body 3 is disc-shaped.
  • Rod 2 is cylindrical.
  • the second fixing surface 5 is formed by a shoulder of the rod 2.
  • Contact body 1 is configured so that an electric arc formed between contact body 1 and second contact body 11 generates a radial magnetic field.
  • the electric arc is formed in particular when the current is made and/or cut off, when the cut-off contact 1 is sufficiently close to the second cut-off contact 11.
  • the potential difference between the contact bodies facing each other -vis then creates an electric arc which runs through the space located between the two contacts 1, 11.
  • the electrical cut-off contact 1 here has a radial magnetic field.
  • the distance e1 measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X, between the abutment surface 6 and the contact body 3, is between 0.2 millimeter and 1.0 millimeter.
  • the distance e1 has been exaggerated in order to be more visible.
  • the contact body 3 and the abutment surface 6 are configured so that the contact body 3 can have a bending movement, in particular along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X.
  • the possible bending is schematized by the arrow F on the picture 3 .
  • the control mechanism of the vacuum interrupter 100 causes the movable contact 11 to come into contact with the fixed contact 1
  • a shock is produced. which tends to create a rebound between the two contacts 1, 11.
  • the two contacts 1, 11 can move apart slightly, which favors a re-ignition of the electric arc.
  • This rebound phenomenon should be avoided because it degrades the control of the formation of the electric arc.
  • the abutment surface 6 of the rod 2 is set back relative to the contact body 3.
  • the contact body 3 can bend when, when the vacuum interrupter closes, the contact body 3 impacts a second contact body 31 arranged opposite.
  • the arrows N schematize the force which is applied to the contact body when the contacts 1, 11 bear against each other.
  • the arrow F schematizes the resulting bending.
  • the concept is presented here with a radial magnetic field electrical cut-off contact 1. It can also apply to other types of electrical cut-off contacts, in particular an electrical cut-off contact with an axial magnetic field.
  • the curve C - 1 represents the evolution over time of the position of the mobile breaking contact 11 during the closing of a vacuum interrupter according to the prior art.
  • Curve C - 2 represents the time evolution of the position of the mobile cut-off contact 11 during the closing of a vacuum interrupter according to the invention.
  • Time Ti indicates the time when moving contact 11 strikes fixed contact 1.
  • parameter Z - 1 indicates the amplitude of the rebound .
  • the amplitude Z - 2 of the rebound is clearly less than Z - 1, due to the dissipation of the impact energy by the bending of the contact body and by the contact with the rod abutment surface.
  • Other methods for characterizing rebounds can be used, for example based on measurements of electrical signals.
  • the contact body 3 and the abutment surface 6 are also configured so that a portion 25 of the contact body 3 comes into contact with the abutment surface 6 during a bending of the contact body 3. More precisely, the contact body 3 is configured to come into contact with at least part of the abutment surface 6 during bending of the contact body 3.
  • the abutment surface 6 comprises a plurality of abutment zones 7 spaced apart from each other. More precisely, the abutment surface 6 comprises four abutment zones 7.
  • At least one abutment zone 7 extends from an outer edge 26 of the upper 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X of the upper 2.
  • the abutment surface 6 is flat.
  • the abutment surface 6 and the second fixing surface 5 extend in parallel planes P1, P2.
  • the abutment surface 6 has a frustoconical shape.
  • At least one abutment zone 7 comprises an annular portion extending radially between a first distance r1 from the longitudinal axis X and a second distance r2 from the longitudinal axis X.
  • the first distance r1 is less than or equal to the value of the radius of rod 2.
  • the second distance r2 is greater than the value of the radius of the second fixing surface 5.
  • the annular portion of the abutment zone 7 extends in an angular sector A1 of angular value between 15° and 45°.
  • the rod 2 has a groove 10 adjacent to the second fixing surface 5.
  • the groove 10 makes it possible to avoid a capillary effect which would cause a migration of solder from the first fixing surface towards the abutment surface.
  • the solder zone is the gap between the first fixing surface 4 of the contact body 3 and the second fixing surface 5 of the rod 2.
  • At least one abutment zone 7 is adjacent to a portion of the groove 10. On the example of the figure 4 , each abutment zone 7 is delimited radially by an arc of a circle.
  • the abutment zone 7 is delimited in the radial direction by the groove 10, on the inside, and by the periphery of the rod, on the outside.
  • the width of the groove 10, measured in a transverse direction Y, is greater than 0.5 millimeters.
  • the depth of the groove 10, measured along the longitudinal direction X, is greater than 0.5 millimeters.
  • the contact surface 8 is radially exterior to the first fixing surface 4.
  • the innermost point of the contact surface 8 is further from the longitudinal axis X than the outermost point of the first fixing surface 4.
  • the contact surfaces 8, 81 between the cut-off contacts 1, 11 are offset radially outwards with respect to the rods 2, 21 for supplying the current.
  • the passage of electric current is shown schematically on the figure 6 by the arrows C.
  • the zone through which the electric current can pass is thus more extensive than with the solutions according to the prior art.
  • the breaking contacts are of the radial magnetic field type, the electric arc is deflected towards the outside of the contacts. This configuration allows better control of the electric arc between the contacts. In particular, this configuration makes it possible to separate the electrical contact zone and the zone through which the electric arc passes.
  • the contact body 3 here has a radial magnetic field.
  • the contact body 3 comprises a thinned portion 12 extending from the longitudinal axis X.
  • the thinned portion 12 can have a circular shape.
  • the thinned portion 12 is here formed by counterboring the contact body, centered on the longitudinal axis X.
  • the first fixing surface 4 and the contact surface 8 are located on opposite axial faces 13,14 of the contact body 3 .
  • the abutment surface 6 is level with the contact surface 8 in a direction D1 parallel to the longitudinal axis X. This means that any straight line D1 parallel to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the abutment surface 6 passes through the contact surface 8.
  • the contact surface 8 comprises a plurality of contact zones 9 spaced apart from each other.
  • the contact areas 9 are highlighted by dots.
  • the contact surface 8 can be in a single continuous portion. This is particularly the case when the thinned portion 12 has a sufficiently small diameter not to extend radially as far as the slots 16.
  • Each abutment zone 7 is located opposite a contact zone 9 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X. As before, this means that any straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis X and passing through a zone of stop 7 passes through a contact zone 9. In other words, on a view along the longitudinal axis X, the periphery of a stop zone 7 is inside the periphery of a contact zone 9.
  • the contact body 3 has a spiral configuration, the contact body 3 having the shape of a disk comprising slots 16 passing through the thickness of the disc, the slots 16 extending from the periphery 15 of the contact body 3 towards the inside of the contact body 3.
  • This configuration makes it possible to favor the creation of a radial magnetic field when an electric arc circulates between the breaking contacts.
  • the contact body comprises branches 18, each branch 18 being between two consecutive slots.
  • Each branch 18 is formed by the material angularly between two consecutive slots 16.
  • Legs 18 extend outward from a central portion, and include a curved edge.
  • the branches 18 can have other shapes. More generally, the branches 18 can have any shape allowing the electric arc to generate a radial magnetic field.
  • each contact body 3, 31 comprises four branches 18. The angular difference between two consecutive branches is constant, and equal to 90°.
  • the number of abutment zones 7 of the abutment surface 6 is equal to the number of branches 18 of the contact bodies 3, 31
  • Each branch 18 is in line with an abutment zone 7. More precisely, each abutment surface 7 is in line with a contact zone 9.
  • the contact zones 9 extend in an angular sector of angular value A5.
  • the annular portion of the abutment zone 7 extends in an angular sector of angular value A1 less than the angular value A5.
  • the slots 16 are curved. According to variants not shown, the slots 16 can be rectilinear.
  • the slots form at the periphery of the disk an angle A2 of between 30° and 50° with the radial direction.
  • the slots 16 extend between a first end 19 opening onto the periphery of the disc and a second end 20, and the slots form at the level of the second end an angle A3 comprised between 70° and 90° with the radial direction.
  • the angle A2 is measured at the level of the edge of the slot 16 furthest from the longitudinal axis X.
  • the angle A3 is measured at the level of the edge of the slot 16 closest to the longitudinal axis X.
  • the contact body 3 comprises a beveled portion 22 arranged in a radial direction Y outside the contact surface 8.
  • This shape makes it possible to avoid mechanical contact between the contact bodies 3, 31 at their periphery.
  • the moment exerted by the force aimed at separating the contacts is lower than if a weld were present at the periphery of the contact body.
  • the risk of plastic deformation of the contact is limited.
  • the bevelled portion 22 forms with the longitudinal axis X an angle A4 of between 80° and 89°.
  • the contact body 3 comprises an angular positioning hole 23 and the stem 2 comprises an angular positioning lug 24, the lug 24 being inserted into the angular positioning hole 23.

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Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine des appareils de coupure à vide à moyenne tension, également appelés ampoules à vide ou encore ampoules sous vide. Les ampoules à vide sont utilisées dans les appareils électriques de distribution de moyenne tension, c'est-à-dire de 1 à 52 kV. Les ampoules à vide sont associées à des actionneurs pour couper le courant dans une partie du circuit.The present invention relates to the field of medium voltage vacuum interrupters, also called vacuum interrupters or vacuum interrupters. Vacuum interrupters are used in medium voltage electrical distribution devices, ie from 1 to 52 kV. Vacuum interrupters are associated with actuators to interrupt the current in a part of the circuit.

Technique antérieurePrior technique

De manière bien connue, une ampoule à vide comporte deux contacts de coupure disposés en vis-à-vis. Chaque contact de coupure comprend une tige d'amenée du courant électrique, et un corps de contact solidaire de la tige. Les contacts sont disposés dans une enveloppe formant une enceinte étanche placée sous vide. Les contacts peuvent être déplacés l'un par rapport à l'autre. Lorsque les contacts sont en appui l'un sur l'autre, le courant peut passer d'un contact à l'autre. Lorsque les contacts sont écartés l'un de l'autre, le courant est interrompu.In a well-known manner, a vacuum interrupter comprises two cut-off contacts arranged opposite each other. Each cut-off contact comprises an electrical current supply rod, and a contact body secured to the rod. The contacts are arranged in an envelope forming a sealed enclosure placed under vacuum. Contacts can be moved relative to each other. When the contacts press against each other, current can flow from one contact to the other. When the contacts are moved away from each other, the current is interrupted.

A la coupure du courant ainsi qu'à l'établissement du courant, un arc électrique se produit. L'arc électrique formé échauffe les pièces traversées par l'arc, et peuvent faire fondre localement la surface des contacts. Il est ainsi connu de donner aux contacts une forme telle que l'arc électrique ainsi créé génère un champ magnétique radial, ce qui permet d'orienter l'arc de manière favorable et finalement de le contrôler. L'invention ici décrite concerne plus particulièrement ce type de contacts à champ magnétique radial, également connu sous l'acronyme Anglais RMF, pour « Radial Magnetic Field » ou TMF « Transversal Magnetic Field ». Toutefois, l'invention pourrait s'appliquer éventuellement à d'autres types de contacts.When the current is cut off and when the current is restored, an electric arc occurs. The electric arc formed heats the parts crossed by the arc, and can locally melt the surface of the contacts. It is thus known to give the contacts a shape such that the electric arc thus created generates a radial magnetic field, which makes it possible to orient the arc favorably and ultimately to control it. The invention described here relates more particularly to this type of radial magnetic field contact, also known by the English acronym RMF, for “Radial Magnetic Field” or TMF “Transversal Magnetic Field”. However, the invention could possibly be applied to other types of contacts.

US 4440995 A et US 9552941 B1 divulguent un contact de coupure électrique pour ampoule à vide selon le préambule de la revendication 1. US 4440995A And US 9552941 B1 disclose a vacuum interrupter switch according to the preamble of claim 1.

La présente invention a pour but d'améliorer les performances de ce type d'ampoules à vide.The object of the present invention is to improve the performance of this type of vacuum bulb.

A la fermeture de l'ampoule à vide, la vitesse relative entre les contacts au moment où ceux-ci arrivent en appui l'un sur l'autre a tendance à engendrer un phénomène de rebond. Autrement dit, la continuité entre les contacts n'est pas assurée de manière franche, et la distance entre les contacts électriques a tendance à osciller. Selon certaines normes nationales ou internationales, notamment la norme CN GB 50150 - 2016, la durée de rebond doit rester inférieure à une certaine limite, par exemple égale à 2 ou 3 millisecondes. Il est donc intéressant de proposer une solution permettant de réduire au maximum la durée de ces rebonds.When the vacuum interrupter closes, the relative speed between the contacts when they come to rest against one another tends to cause a rebound phenomenon. In other words, the continuity between the contacts is not ensured frankly, and the distance between the electrical contacts tends to oscillate. According to certain national or international standards, in particular the CN GB 50150 - 2016 standard, the bounce duration must remain below a certain limit, for example equal to 2 or 3 milliseconds. It is therefore interesting to propose a solution making it possible to reduce the duration of these rebounds as much as possible.

RésuméSummary

A cette fin, l'invention propose un contact de coupure électrique, notamment à champ magnétique radial, pour ampoule à vide à moyenne tension, le contact comportant :

  • une tige s'étendant selon un axe longitudinal, configurée pour être parcourue par un courant électrique,
  • un corps de contact s'étendant transversalement à l'axe longitudinal et comportant une première surface de fixation, le corps de contact et la tige étant coaxiaux,
dans lequel la tige comporte :
  • une deuxième surface de fixation solidaire de la première surface de fixation,
  • une surface de butée radialement extérieure à la deuxième surface de fixation, la surface de butée étant distante du corps de contact selon l'axe longitudinal et tournée vers le corps de contact.
To this end, the invention proposes an electrical cut-off contact, in particular with a radial magnetic field, for a medium-voltage vacuum interrupter, the contact comprising:
  • a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, configured to be traversed by an electric current,
  • a contact body extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and comprising a first fixing surface, the contact body and the stem being coaxial,
wherein the rod comprises:
  • a second attachment surface secured to the first attachment surface,
  • an abutment surface radially external to the second fixing surface, the abutment surface being remote from the contact body along the longitudinal axis and facing the contact body.

Autrement dit, dans le contact de coupure électrique proposé, le corps de contact et la surface de butée sont configurés de sorte que le corps de contact puisse avoir un mouvement de flexion selon une direction parallèle à l'axe longitudinal.In other words, in the electrical cut-off contact proposed, the contact body and the abutment surface are configured so that the contact body can have a bending movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Le corps de contact et la surface de butée sont configurés de sorte qu'une portion du corps de contact entre en contact avec la surface de butée lors d'une flexion du corps de contact.The contact body and the abutment surface are configured such that a portion of the contact body contacts the abutment surface upon bending of the contact body.

De manière classique, à la fermeture du circuit électrique de l'ampoule à vide, c'est-à-dire lorsque le contact mobile de l'ampoule à vide vient toucher le contact fixe, il se produit un choc qui tend à créer un rebond. Autrement dit, après le choc initial les deux contacts peuvent se réécarter légèrement, ce qui favorise un réamorçage de l'arc électrique. Ce phénomène de rebond est à éviter. Selon l'invention, la surface de butée de la tige, radialement extérieure à la zone où la tige et le corps de contact sont solidarisés, est en retrait par rapport au corps de contact. Ainsi, le corps de contact est configuré pour fléchir lorsque, à la fermeture de l'ampoule à vide, le corps de contact impacte un deuxième corps de contact disposé en vis-à-vis. Cette déformation par déflexion du corps de contact contribue à dissiper l'énergie de l'impact avec le deuxième contact électrique, et ainsi à limiter le phénomène de rebond.Conventionally, when the electrical circuit of the vacuum interrupter is closed, that is to say when the movable contact of the vacuum interrupter touches the fixed contact, a shock is produced which tends to create a bounce. In other words, after the initial shock, the two contacts can move apart slightly, which favors a re-ignition of the electric arc. This rebound phenomenon should be avoided. According to the invention, the abutment surface of the rod, radially exterior to the zone where the rod and the contact body are secured, is set back relative to the contact body. Thus, the contact body is configured to bend when, when the vacuum bottle is closed, the contact body impacts a second contact body arranged opposite. This deformation by deflection of the contact body contributes to dissipating the energy of the impact with the second electrical contact, and thus to limiting the rebound phenomenon.

Les caractéristiques listées dans les paragraphes suivant peuvent être mises en oeuvre indépendamment les unes des autres ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles :
La tige et le corps de contact sont électriquement conducteurs. La tige et le corps de contact sont métalliques.The characteristics listed in the following paragraphs can be implemented independently of each other or in any technically possible combination:
The rod and the contact body are electrically conductive. The stem and the contact body are metallic.

Le corps de contact est en forme de disque. La tige est cylindrique.The contact body is disc-shaped. The stem is cylindrical.

Le corps de contact est configuré pour venir en contact avec au moins une partie de la surface de butée lors d'une flexion du corps de contact.The contact body is configured to contact at least a portion of the abutment surface upon bending of the contact body.

La première surface de fixation et la deuxième surface de fixation sont perpendiculaires à l'axe longitudinal.The first attachment surface and the second attachment surface are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

La deuxième surface de fixation est formée par un épaulement de la tige.The second fixing surface is formed by a shoulder of the rod.

La première surface de fixation et la deuxième surface de fixation sont solidarisées par une brasure.The first fixing surface and the second fixing surface are joined together by a solder.

Selon un mode de réalisation du contact de coupure électrique, une distance, mesurée selon une direction parallèle à l'axe longitudinal, entre la surface de butée et le corps de contact, est comprise entre 0,2 millimètre et 1,0 millimètre.According to one embodiment of the electrical cut-off contact, a distance, measured along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, between the abutment surface and the contact body, is between 0.2 millimeters and 1.0 millimeters.

Cette valeur du jeu axial entre la surface de butée et le corps de contact permet une amplitude de déflexion bien adaptée à l'énergie à dissiper lors du choc entre les contacts électriques.This value of the axial play between the abutment surface and the contact body allows a deflection amplitude well suited to the energy to be dissipated during the impact between the electrical contacts.

Selon un mode de réalisation du contact de coupure électrique, la surface de butée comporte une pluralité de zones de butée distantes les unes des autres.According to one embodiment of the electrical cut-off contact, the abutment surface comprises a plurality of abutment zones spaced from each other.

La surface de butée comporte quatre zones de butée.The abutment surface has four abutment zones.

Au moins une zone de butée s'étend depuis un bord extérieur de la tige en direction de l'axe longitudinal de la tige.At least one abutment zone extends from an outer edge of the upper in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the upper.

Au moins une zone de butée comprend une portion annulaire s'étendant radialement entre une première distance de l'axe longitudinal et une deuxième distance de l'axe longitudinal. La première distance est inférieure ou égale à la valeur du rayon de la tige. La deuxième distance est supérieure à la valeur du rayon de la deuxième surface de fixation.At least one abutment zone comprises an annular portion extending radially between a first distance from the longitudinal axis and a second distance from the longitudinal axis. The first distance is less than or equal to the value of the rod radius. The second distance is greater than the value of the radius of the second mounting surface.

La portion annulaire de la zone de butée s'étend dans un secteur angulaire de valeur angulaire comprise entre 15° et 45°.The annular portion of the abutment zone extends in an angular sector of angular value between 15° and 45°.

La surface de butée est plane. En variante, la surface de butée a une forme tronconique.The abutment surface is flat. Alternatively, the abutment surface has a frustoconical shape.

La surface de butée et la surface de fixation s'étendent dans des plans parallèles.The abutment surface and the attachment surface extend in parallel planes.

Selon un aspect de l'invention, la tige comporte une gorge adjacente à la deuxième surface de fixation.According to one aspect of the invention, the rod has a groove adjacent to the second attachment surface.

Lorsque la tige et le corps de contact sont solidarisés par brasure, la gorge permet d'éviter un effet capillaire qui amènerait une migration de brasure de la première surface de fixation vers la surface de butée.When the rod and the contact body are secured by soldering, the groove makes it possible to avoid a capillary effect which would cause a migration of solder from the first fixing surface towards the abutment surface.

Au moins une zone de butée est adjacente à une portion de la gorge.At least one abutment zone is adjacent to a portion of the groove.

Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, le corps de contact comporte une surface de contact configurée pour entrer en contact avec un deuxième contact de coupure électrique disposé en vis-à-vis du contact, de façon à permettre à un courant électrique de passer entre les deux contacts,

  • la première surface de fixation s'étend radialement entre une première distance interne et une première distance externe, la surface de contact s'étend radialement entre une deuxième distance interne et une deuxième distance externe,
  • et un rapport entre la deuxième distance interne et la première distance externe est supérieur ou égal à 1.
According to another aspect of the invention, the contact body comprises a contact surface configured to come into contact with a second electrical cut-off contact arranged opposite the contact, so as to allow an electric current to pass between the two contacts,
  • the first attachment surface extends radially between a first internal distance and a first external distance, the contact surface extends radially between a second internal distance and a second external distance,
  • and a ratio of the second internal distance to the first external distance is greater than or equal to 1.

Autrement dit, lorsque le rapport est supérieur à 1, la surface de contact est radialement extérieure à la première surface de fixation.In other words, when the ratio is greater than 1, the contact surface is radially exterior to the first attachment surface.

A la fermeture de l'ampoule à vide, le champ électrique augmente lorsque les contacts se rapprochent l'un de l'autre, jusqu'au claquage diélectrique. Le claquage diélectrique fait apparaitre un arc électrique entre les contacts peu de temps avant leur contact mécanique. La fusion de surface provoquée par l'arc électrique mène souvent à des soudures locales entre les contacts. Ces soudures augmentent l'effort nécessaire à réaliser la réouverture de l'ampoule à vide. Il est ainsi souhaitable de proposer une solution pour limiter cet effort de cassure des soudures.When the vacuum interrupter closes, the electric field increases when the contacts approach each other, until the dielectric breakdown. The dielectric breakdown causes an electric arc to appear between the contacts shortly before their mechanical contact. The surface melting caused by the electric arc often leads to local welds between the contacts. These welds increase the effort necessary to achieve the reopening of the vacuum interrupter. It is thus desirable to propose a solution to limit this stress of breaking the welds.

Grâce à la disposition relative de la première surface de fixation et de la surface de contact, la zone d'initiation de l'arc électrique est radialement décalée par rapport au centre des contacts. Ceci permet d'augmenter les efforts électrodynamiques imposés à l'arc initial et d'ainsi augmenter sa vitesse de rotation. De cette manière, l'arc est poussé rapidement hors de la zone de contact mécanique privilégiée que constitue la zone d'initiation de l'arc électrique, évitant ainsi la soudure entre les contacts. De ce fait, l'effort de réouverture des contacts reste sensiblement constant au cours de l'utilisation.Thanks to the relative arrangement of the first fixing surface and the contact surface, the electric arc initiation zone is radially offset with respect to the center of the contacts. This makes it possible to increase the electrodynamic forces imposed on the initial arc and thus to increase its speed of rotation. In this way, the arc is quickly pushed out of the privileged mechanical contact zone constituted by the electric arc initiation zone, thus avoiding welding between the contacts. Therefore, the contact reopening force remains substantially constant during use.

Le corps de contact comporte une portion amincie s'étendant depuis l'axe longitudinal. La portion amincie peut avoir une forme circulaire. La portion amincie peut être obtenue par un lamage du corps de contact, centré sur l'axe longitudinal. Autrement dit, le corps de contact comporte un évidement borgne centré sur l'axe longitudinal.The contact body has a thinned portion extending from the longitudinal axis. The thinned portion may have a circular shape. The thinned portion can be obtained by counterboring the contact body, centered on the longitudinal axis. In other words, the contact body has a blind recess centered on the longitudinal axis.

Selon un mode de réalisation du contact de coupure électrique, la surface de butée est au droit de la surface de contact selon une direction parallèle à l'axe longitudinal.According to one embodiment of the electrical cut-off contact, the abutment surface is level with the contact surface in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Selon un exemple de mise en oeuvre, la surface de contact comporte une pluralité de zones de contact distantes les unes des autres.According to an exemplary implementation, the contact surface comprises a plurality of contact zones spaced apart from each other.

Cette configuration permet de favoriser un déplacement rapide de l'arc dans la phase initiale de coupure ou de pré-amorçage à la fermeture. Ceci favorise à la fois les performances en coupure et l'obtention d'une soudure des contacts la moins forte possible.This configuration makes it possible to promote rapid movement of the arc in the initial phase of breaking or pre-striking on closing. This promotes both breaking performance and obtaining the weakest contact welding possible.

Chaque zone de butée est située au droit d'une zone de contact selon une direction parallèle à l'axe longitudinal.Each abutment zone is located opposite a contact zone in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le corps de contact a une configuration en spirale, le corps de contact ayant une forme de disque comportant des fentes traversant l'épaisseur du disque, les fentes s'étendant depuis la périphérie du corps de contact vers l'intérieur du corps de contact 3.According to one embodiment, the contact body has a spiral configuration, the contact body having a disc shape comprising slots crossing the thickness of the disc, the slots extending from the periphery of the contact body towards the inside of contact body 3.

Cette configuration permet de favoriser la création d'un champ magnétique radial lorsqu'un arc électrique circule entre les contacts de coupure.This configuration makes it possible to favor the creation of a radial magnetic field when an electric arc circulates between the breaking contacts.

Le corps de contact comprend des branches, chaque branche étant comprise entre deux fentes consécutives.The contact body comprises branches, each branch being between two consecutive slots.

Les branches s'étendent vers l'extérieur depuis une partie centrale, et comprennent un bord courbe.The legs extend outward from a central portion, and include a curved edge.

De façon purement illustrative, les fentes sont courbes selon la réalisation représentée. Les fentes forment au niveau de la périphérie du disque un angle compris entre 30° et 50° avec la direction radiale.In a purely illustrative manner, the slots are curved according to the embodiment shown. The slots form at the periphery of the disc an angle of between 30° and 50° with the radial direction.

Les fentes s'étendent entre une première extrémité débouchant sur la périphérie du disque et une deuxième extrémité, et les fentes forment au niveau de la deuxième extrémité un angle compris entre 70° et 90° avec la direction radiale.The slots extend between a first end opening onto the periphery of the disc and a second end, and the slots form at the level of the second end an angle comprised between 70° and 90° with the radial direction.

Selon un mode de réalisation du contact de coupure électrique, le corps de contact comporte une portion biseautée disposée selon une direction radiale à l'extérieur de la surface de contact.According to one embodiment of the electrical cut-off contact, the contact body comprises a beveled portion arranged in a radial direction outside the contact surface.

Cette forme permet d'éviter que la surface de contact soit située à la périphérie du corps de contact. Ainsi, le moment de la force nécessaire à rompre une éventuelle soudure entre les contacts est minimisé. Les risques de déformation plastique du corps de contact lors de l'application d'une force permettant de séparer les contacts sont réduits. La capacité à assurer une ouverture de l'ampoule à vide est ainsi préservée.This shape makes it possible to avoid having the contact surface located at the periphery of the contact body. Thus, the moment of force necessary to break any welding between the contacts is minimized. The risks of plastic deformation of the contact body during the application of a force making it possible to separate the contacts are reduced. The ability to ensure opening of the vacuum interrupter is thus preserved.

La portion biseautée forme avec l'axe longitudinal un angle compris entre 80° et 89°.The bevelled portion forms an angle of between 80° and 89° with the longitudinal axis.

La portion biseautée s'étend depuis un bord radialement extérieur de la surface de contact vers la périphérie du corps de contact.The beveled portion extends from a radially outer edge of the contact surface towards the periphery of the contact body.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le corps de contact comprend un trou de positionnement angulaire et la tige comprend un ergot de positionnement angulaire, l'ergot étant inséré dans le trou de positionnement angulaire.According to one embodiment, the contact body comprises an angular positioning hole and the stem comprises an angular positioning lug, the lug being inserted into the angular positioning hole.

L'invention se rapporte également à un contact de coupure électrique à champ magnétique radial pour ampoule à vide à moyenne tension, le contact comportant :

  • une tige s'étendant selon un axe longitudinal, configurée pour être parcourue par un courant électrique,
  • un corps de contact ayant une forme de disque s'étendant transversalement à l'axe longitudinal, le corps de contact et la tige étant coaxiaux,
  • le corps de contact comportant :
    • une première surface de fixation solidaire de la tige, et
    • une surface de contact configurée pour entrer en contact avec un deuxième contact de coupure électrique disposé en vis-à-vis du contact de façon à permettre un passage de courant électrique entre les deux contacts,
  • dans lequel la première surface de fixation s'étend radialement entre une première distance interne et une première distance externe, la surface de contact s'étend radialement entre une deuxième distance interne et une deuxième distance externe,
  • et dans lequel un rapport entre la deuxième distance interne et la première distance externe est supérieur à 0,9, de préférence supérieur à 1.
The invention also relates to a radial magnetic field electrical cut-off contact for a medium-voltage vacuum interrupter, the contact comprising:
  • a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, configured to be traversed by an electric current,
  • a contact body having the shape of a disc extending transversely to the longitudinal axis, the contact body and the rod being coaxial,
  • the contact body comprising:
    • a first attachment surface secured to the rod, and
    • a contact surface configured to come into contact with a second electrical cut-off contact arranged opposite the contact so as to allow an electric current to flow between the two contacts,
  • wherein the first attachment surface extends radially between a first inner distance and a first outer distance, the mating surface extends radially between a second inner distance and a second distance external,
  • and wherein a ratio between the second internal distance and the first external distance is greater than 0.9, preferably greater than 1.

L'invention concerne également une ampoule à vide comportant un contact fixe tel que décrit précédemment et un contact mobile tel que décrit précédemment, le contact mobile étant mobile entre une position de contact avec le contact fixe permettant un passage de courant électrique et une position distante du contact fixe interdisant un passage de courant.The invention also relates to a vacuum interrupter comprising a fixed contact as described previously and a movable contact as described previously, the movable contact being movable between a position of contact with the fixed contact allowing passage of electric current and a remote position fixed contact preventing the passage of current.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques, détails et avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée ci-après, et à l'analyse des dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • [Fig. 1] est une représentation schématique d'une ampoule à vide selon l'art antérieur,
  • [Fig. 2] est une représentation schématique en coupe d'un contact de coupure électrique selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • [Fig. 3] est une autre représentation schématique en coupe du contact de coupure électrique de la figure 2,
  • [Fig. 4] est une vue de détail en perspective de la tige du contact de coupure de la figure 2,
  • [Fig. 5] est une vue de détail en perspective d'un corps de contact selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
  • [Fig. 6] représente schématiquement en coupe le fonctionnement d'une ampoule à vide intégrant des contacts de coupure électrique selon l'invention,
  • [Fig. 7] est une courbe d'évolution temporelle de la position d'un contact de coupure lors de la fermeture d'une ampoule à vide.
Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the appended drawings, in which:
  • [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic representation of a vacuum interrupter according to the prior art,
  • [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic sectional representation of an electrical cut-off contact according to a first embodiment of the invention,
  • [ Fig. 3 ] is another cross-sectional schematic representation of the electrical cut-off contact of the figure 2 ,
  • [ Fig. 4 ] is a perspective detail view of the cut-off contact rod of the figure 2 ,
  • [ Fig. 5 ] is a perspective detail view of a contact body according to a second embodiment of the invention,
  • [ Fig. 6 ] schematically represents in section the operation of a vacuum interrupter incorporating electrical cut-off contacts according to the invention,
  • [ Fig. 7 ] is a time evolution curve of the position of a cut-off contact during the closing of a vacuum interrupter.

Description des modes de réalisationDescription of embodiments

Afin de faciliter la lecture des figures, les différents éléments ne sont pas nécessairement représentés à l'échelle. Sur ces figures, les éléments identiques portent les mêmes références. Certains éléments ou paramètres peuvent être indexés, c'est-à-dire désignés par exemple par premier élément ou deuxième élément, ou encore premier paramètre et second paramètre, etc. Cette indexation a pour but de différencier des éléments ou paramètres similaires, mais non identiques. Cette indexation n'implique pas une priorité d'un élément, ou paramètre par rapport à un autre et on peut interchanger les dénominations. Quand il est précisé qu'un sous-système comporte un élément donné, cela n'exclut pas la présence d'autres éléments dans ce sous-système.In order to facilitate reading of the figures, the various elements are not necessarily shown to scale. In these figures, the identical elements have the same references. Certain elements or parameters can be indexed, that is to say designated for example by first element or second element, or else first parameter and second parameter, etc. The purpose of this indexing is to differentiate between similar but not identical elements or parameters. This indexing does not imply a priority of an element, or parameter compared to another and one can interchange the denominations. When it is specified that a subsystem comprises a given element, this does not exclude the presence of other elements in this subsystem.

La figure 1 représente une ampoule à vide 100 comportant un contact fixe 1 qui sera décrit ultérieurement et un contact mobile 11 qui sera également décrit ultérieurement. Le contact mobile 11 est disposé en vis-à-vis du contact fixe 1. Les deux contacts 1, 11 sont coaxiaux. Le contact mobile 11 est mobile entre une position de contact avec le contact fixe 1 permettant un passage de courant électrique, et une position distante du contact fixe 1 interdisant un passage de courant. La moitié gauche de la figure 1 représente les contacts 1, 11 en position de contact. La moitié droite de la figure 1 représente les contacts 1, 11 en position éloignée l'un de l'autre, c'est-à-dire dans la position où le passage du courant est interrompu. Un mécanisme de commande, non représenté, permet de déplacer le contact mobile 11 de façon à l'amener en appui sur le contact fixe 1, et permet aussi de l'éloigner afin de créer une coupure du courant. L'ampoule à vide 100 est prévue pour un appareil de coupure à moyenne tension, c'est-à-dire une tension comprise entre 1 kV et 52 kV. L'appareil de coupure peut être par exemple un disjoncteur, un sectionneur ou un interrupteur. L'ampoule à vide 100 comporte une enveloppe 29, formant une enceinte étanche sous vide. On entend par là que la pression régnant à l'intérieur de l'enceinte est inférieure à 10-4 millibar. Un écran 28 est disposé en vis-à-vis des contacts de coupure 1, 11 selon une direction radiale. Un soufflet 27 permet d'assurer le déplacement du contact mobile 11 tout en assurant l'étanchéité.There figure 1 represents a vacuum interrupter 100 comprising a fixed contact 1 which will be described later and a movable contact 11 which will also be described later. The moving contact 11 is arranged opposite the fixed contact 1. The two contacts 1, 11 are coaxial. The movable contact 11 is movable between a position of contact with the fixed contact 1 allowing passage of electric current, and a position distant from the fixed contact 1 prohibiting a passage of current. The left half of the figure 1 represents the contacts 1, 11 in the contact position. The right half of the figure 1 represents the contacts 1, 11 in the remote position from each other, that is to say in the position where the flow of current is interrupted. A control mechanism, not shown, makes it possible to move the movable contact 11 so as to bring it to rest on the fixed contact 1, and also makes it possible to move it away in order to create a power cut. The vacuum interrupter 100 is provided for a medium voltage switching device, that is to say a voltage between 1 kV and 52 kV. The breaking device may for example be a circuit breaker, a disconnector or a switch. The vacuum interrupter 100 comprises an envelope 29, forming a sealed vacuum enclosure. By this is meant that the pressure prevailing inside the enclosure is less than 10 -4 millibar. A screen 28 is arranged opposite the cut-off contacts 1, 11 in a radial direction. A bellows 27 ensures the movement of the movable contact 11 while ensuring the seal.

Le contact de coupure électrique 1 comprend une tige 2 d'amenée du courant et un corps de contact 3. La tige 2 et le corps de contact 3 sont électriquement conducteurs. La tige 2 et le corps de contact 3 sont métalliques. De la même manière, le deuxième contact 11 comprend une tige 21 et un corps de contact 31. Les deux contacts 1, 11 sont construits de manière similaire.The electrical cut-off contact 1 comprises a current supply rod 2 and a contact body 3. The rod 2 and the contact body 3 are electrically conductive. Rod 2 and contact body 3 are metallic. Of the same manner, the second contact 11 comprises a rod 21 and a contact body 31. The two contacts 1, 11 are constructed in a similar manner.

La tige 2 et le corps de contact 3 sont solidaires, c'est-à-dire qu'ils sont rigidement fixés l'un à l'autre. Pour cela, le corps de contact 3 comporte une première surface de fixation 4 et la tige 2 comporte une deuxième surface de fixation 5. La première surface de fixation 4 et la deuxième surface de fixation 5 sont ici solidarisées par une brasure. La première surface de fixation 4 et la deuxième surface de fixation 5 sont perpendiculaires à l'axe longitudinal X.The rod 2 and the contact body 3 are integral, that is to say they are rigidly fixed to each other. For this, the contact body 3 has a first fixing surface 4 and the rod 2 has a second fixing surface 5. The first fixing surface 4 and the second fixing surface 5 are joined here by a solder. The first fixing surface 4 and the second fixing surface 5 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

Sur l'exemple illustré sur la figure 1, le corps de contact 3 est en forme de disque. La tige 2 est cylindrique. Selon les modes de réalisation des figures 2 à 4, la deuxième surface de fixation 5 est formée par un épaulement de la tige 2.On the example illustrated in the figure 1 , the contact body 3 is disc-shaped. Rod 2 is cylindrical. According to the embodiments of figures 2 to 4 , the second fixing surface 5 is formed by a shoulder of the rod 2.

Le corps de contact 1 est configuré pour qu'un arc électrique formé entre le corps de contact 1 et le deuxième corps de contact 11 génère un champ magnétique radial. L'arc électrique se forme notamment lors de l'établissement et/ou de la coupure du courant, lorsque le contact de coupure 1 est suffisamment proche du deuxième contact de coupure 11. La différence de potentiel entre les corps de contact en vis-à-vis crée alors un arc électrique qui parcourt l'espace situé entre les deux contacts 1, 11.Contact body 1 is configured so that an electric arc formed between contact body 1 and second contact body 11 generates a radial magnetic field. The electric arc is formed in particular when the current is made and/or cut off, when the cut-off contact 1 is sufficiently close to the second cut-off contact 11. The potential difference between the contact bodies facing each other -vis then creates an electric arc which runs through the space located between the two contacts 1, 11.

La figure 2 représente un contact 1 de coupure électrique pour ampoule à vide 100 à moyenne tension, le contact 1 comportant :

  • une tige 2 s'étendant selon un axe longitudinal X, configurée pour être parcourue par un courant électrique,
  • un corps de contact 3 s'étendant transversalement à l'axe longitudinal X et comportant une première surface de fixation 4, le corps de contact 3 et la tige 2 étant coaxiaux,
dans lequel la tige 2 comporte :
  • une deuxième surface de fixation 5 solidaire de la première surface de fixation 4,
  • une surface de butée 6 radialement extérieure à la deuxième surface de fixation 5, la surface de butée 6 étant distante du corps de contact 3 selon l'axe longitudinal X et tournée vers le corps de contact 3.
There picture 2 represents an electrical cut-off contact 1 for a medium-voltage vacuum interrupter 100, contact 1 comprising:
  • a rod 2 extending along a longitudinal axis X, configured to be traversed by an electric current,
  • a contact body 3 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis X and comprising a first fixing surface 4, the contact body 3 and the rod 2 being coaxial,
in which the rod 2 comprises:
  • a second fixing surface 5 secured to the first fixing surface 4,
  • an abutment surface 6 radially external to the second fixing surface 5, the abutment surface 6 being remote from the contact body 3 along the longitudinal axis X and facing the contact body 3.

Le contact 1 de coupure électrique est ici à champ magnétique radial. Sur l'exemple illustré notamment sur la figure 3, la distance e1, mesurée selon une direction parallèle à l'axe longitudinal X, entre la surface de butée 6 et le corps de contact 3, est comprise entre 0,2 millimètre et 1,0 millimètre. Sur la figure 3, la distance e1 a été exagéré afin d'être davantage visible.The electrical cut-off contact 1 here has a radial magnetic field. On the example illustrated in particular on the picture 3 , the distance e1, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X, between the abutment surface 6 and the contact body 3, is between 0.2 millimeter and 1.0 millimeter. On the picture 3 , the distance e1 has been exaggerated in order to be more visible.

Grâce à la distance e1, le corps de contact 3 et la surface de butée 6 sont configurés de sorte que le corps de contact 3 puisse avoir un mouvement de flexion, notamment selon une direction parallèle à l'axe longitudinal X. La possible flexion est schématisée par la flèche F sur la figure 3.Thanks to the distance e1, the contact body 3 and the abutment surface 6 are configured so that the contact body 3 can have a bending movement, in particular along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The possible bending is schematized by the arrow F on the picture 3 .

A la fermeture du circuit électrique de l'ampoule à vide, c'est-à-dire lorsque le mécanisme de commande de l'ampoule à vide 100 fait que le contact mobile 11 vient toucher le contact fixe 1, il se produit un choc qui tend à créer un rebond entre les deux contacts 1, 11. Autrement dit, après le choc initial les deux contacts 1, 11 peuvent se réécarter légèrement, ce qui favorise un réamorçage de l'arc électrique. Ce phénomène de rebond est à éviter car il dégrade la maitrise de la formation de l'arc électrique. Selon l'invention, la surface de butée 6 de la tige 2 est en retrait par rapport au corps de contact 3. Ainsi, le corps de contact 3 peut fléchir lorsque, à la fermeture de l'ampoule à vide, le corps de contact 3 impacte un deuxième corps de contact 31 disposé en vis-à-vis. Cette déformation par déflexion du corps de contact 3 contribue à dissiper l'énergie de l'impact avec le deuxième contact électrique, et ainsi à limiter le phénomène de rebond. Les flèches N schématisent la force qui s'applique sur le corps de contact lorsque les contacts 1, 11 sont en appui l'un sur l'autre. La flèche F schématise la flexion résultante. Le concept est ici présenté avec un contact 1 de coupure électrique à champ magnétique radial. Il peut s'appliquer également à d'autres types de contacts de coupure électrique, notamment un contact de coupure électrique à champ magnétique axial.When the electrical circuit of the vacuum interrupter is closed, that is to say when the control mechanism of the vacuum interrupter 100 causes the movable contact 11 to come into contact with the fixed contact 1, a shock is produced. which tends to create a rebound between the two contacts 1, 11. In other words, after the initial shock the two contacts 1, 11 can move apart slightly, which favors a re-ignition of the electric arc. This rebound phenomenon should be avoided because it degrades the control of the formation of the electric arc. According to the invention, the abutment surface 6 of the rod 2 is set back relative to the contact body 3. Thus, the contact body 3 can bend when, when the vacuum interrupter closes, the contact body 3 impacts a second contact body 31 arranged opposite. This deformation by deflection of the contact body 3 contributes to dissipating the energy of the impact with the second electrical contact, and thus to limiting the rebound phenomenon. The arrows N schematize the force which is applied to the contact body when the contacts 1, 11 bear against each other. The arrow F schematizes the resulting bending. The concept is presented here with a radial magnetic field electrical cut-off contact 1. It can also apply to other types of electrical cut-off contacts, in particular an electrical cut-off contact with an axial magnetic field.

Sur la figure 7, la courbe C - 1 représente l'évolution temporelle de la position du contact de coupure mobile 11 lors de la fermeture d'une ampoule à vide selon l'art antérieur. La courbe C - 2 représente l'évolution temporelle de la position du contact de coupure mobile 11 lors de la fermeture d'une ampoule à vide selon l'invention. L'instant Ti indique l'instant où le contact mobile 11 vient taper le contact fixe 1. Sur la courbe C - 1, le phénomène de rebond après le choc est clairement visible, et le paramètre Z - 1 indique l'amplitude du rebond. Sur la courbe C - 2, on voit que l'amplitude Z - 2 du rebond est nettement inférieure à Z - 1, en raison de la dissipation de l'énergie du choc par la flexion du corps de contact et par le contact avec la surface de butée de la tige. D'autres méthodes de caractérisation des rebonds peuvent être employées, par exemple basées sur des mesures de signaux électriques.On the figure 7 , the curve C - 1 represents the evolution over time of the position of the mobile breaking contact 11 during the closing of a vacuum interrupter according to the prior art. Curve C - 2 represents the time evolution of the position of the mobile cut-off contact 11 during the closing of a vacuum interrupter according to the invention. Time Ti indicates the time when moving contact 11 strikes fixed contact 1. On curve C - 1, the phenomenon of rebound after the impact is clearly visible, and parameter Z - 1 indicates the amplitude of the rebound . On the curve C - 2, we see that the amplitude Z - 2 of the rebound is clearly less than Z - 1, due to the dissipation of the impact energy by the bending of the contact body and by the contact with the rod abutment surface. Other methods for characterizing rebounds can be used, for example based on measurements of electrical signals.

Le corps de contact 3 et la surface de butée 6 sont aussi configurés de sorte qu'une portion 25 du corps de contact 3 entre en contact avec la surface de butée 6 lors d'une flexion du corps de contact 3. Plus précisément, le corps de contact 3 est configuré pour venir en contact avec au moins une partie de la surface de butée 6 lors d'une flexion du corps de contact 3.The contact body 3 and the abutment surface 6 are also configured so that a portion 25 of the contact body 3 comes into contact with the abutment surface 6 during a bending of the contact body 3. More precisely, the contact body 3 is configured to come into contact with at least part of the abutment surface 6 during bending of the contact body 3.

Selon le mode de réalisation de la figure 4, la surface de butée 6 comporte une pluralité de zones de butée 7 distantes les unes des autres. Plus précisément, la surface de butée 6 comporte quatre zones de butée 7.According to the embodiment of the figure 4 , the abutment surface 6 comprises a plurality of abutment zones 7 spaced apart from each other. More precisely, the abutment surface 6 comprises four abutment zones 7.

Au moins une zone de butée 7 s'étend depuis un bord extérieur 26 de la tige 2 en direction de l'axe longitudinal X de la tige 2.At least one abutment zone 7 extends from an outer edge 26 of the upper 2 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X of the upper 2.

La surface de butée 6 est plane. La surface de butée 6 et la deuxième surface de fixation 5 s'étendent dans des plans parallèles P1, P2. Selon une variante non représentée, la surface de butée 6 a une forme tronconique.The abutment surface 6 is flat. The abutment surface 6 and the second fixing surface 5 extend in parallel planes P1, P2. According to a variant not shown, the abutment surface 6 has a frustoconical shape.

Au moins une zone de butée 7 comprend une portion annulaire s'étendant radialement entre une première distance r1 de l'axe longitudinal X et une deuxième distance r2 de l'axe longitudinal X. La première distance r1 est inférieure ou égale à la valeur du rayon de la tige 2. La deuxième distance r2 est supérieure à la valeur du rayon de la deuxième surface de fixation 5.At least one abutment zone 7 comprises an annular portion extending radially between a first distance r1 from the longitudinal axis X and a second distance r2 from the longitudinal axis X. The first distance r1 is less than or equal to the value of the radius of rod 2. The second distance r2 is greater than the value of the radius of the second fixing surface 5.

La portion annulaire de la zone de butée 7 s'étend dans un secteur d'angulaire A1 de valeur angulaire comprise entre 15° et 45°.The annular portion of the abutment zone 7 extends in an angular sector A1 of angular value between 15° and 45°.

La tige 2 comporte une gorge 10 adjacente à la deuxième surface de fixation 5. Ainsi, comme on peut le voir particulièrement sur la figure 2, lorsque la tige 2 et le corps de contact 3 sont brasés ensemble, la gorge 10 permet d'éviter un effet capillaire qui amènerait une migration de brasure de la première surface de fixation vers la surface de butée. La zone de brasure est l'interstice compris entre la première surface de fixation 4 du corps de contact 3 et la deuxième surface de fixation 5 de la tige 2. Au moins une zone de butée 7 est adjacente à une portion de la gorge 10. Sur l'exemple de la figure 4, chaque zone de butée 7 est délimitée radialement par un arc de cercle. La zone de butée 7 est délimitée selon la direction radiale par la gorge 10, du côté intérieur, et par la périphérie de la tige, du côté extérieur. La largeur de la gorge 10, mesurée selon une direction transverse Y, est supérieure à 0,5 millimètre. La profondeur de la gorge 10, mesurée selon la direction longitudinale X, est supérieure à 0,5 millimètre.The rod 2 has a groove 10 adjacent to the second fixing surface 5. Thus, as can be seen particularly in the figure 2 , when rod 2 and the contact body 3 are soldered together, the groove 10 makes it possible to avoid a capillary effect which would cause a migration of solder from the first fixing surface towards the abutment surface. The solder zone is the gap between the first fixing surface 4 of the contact body 3 and the second fixing surface 5 of the rod 2. At least one abutment zone 7 is adjacent to a portion of the groove 10. On the example of the figure 4 , each abutment zone 7 is delimited radially by an arc of a circle. The abutment zone 7 is delimited in the radial direction by the groove 10, on the inside, and by the periphery of the rod, on the outside. The width of the groove 10, measured in a transverse direction Y, is greater than 0.5 millimeters. The depth of the groove 10, measured along the longitudinal direction X, is greater than 0.5 millimeters.

Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, illustré notamment sur la figure 3, le corps de contact 3 comporte une surface de contact 8 configurée pour entrer en contact avec un deuxième contact de coupure électrique 11 disposé en vis-à-vis du contact 1, de façon à permettre à un courant électrique de passer entre les deux contacts 1, 11,

  • la première surface de fixation 4 s'étend radialement entre une première distance interne d4i et une première distance externe d4e, la surface de contact 8 s'étend radialement entre une deuxième distance interne d8i et une deuxième distance externe d8e,
  • et un rapport R entre la deuxième distance interne d8i et la première distance externe d4e est supérieur ou égal à 1.
According to another aspect of the invention, illustrated in particular in the picture 3 , the contact body 3 comprises a contact surface 8 configured to come into contact with a second electrical cut-off contact 11 arranged opposite the contact 1, so as to allow an electric current to pass between the two contacts 1, 11,
  • the first fixing surface 4 extends radially between a first internal distance d4i and a first external distance d4e, the contact surface 8 extends radially between a second internal distance d8i and a second external distance d8e,
  • and a ratio R between the second internal distance d8i and the first external distance d4e is greater than or equal to 1.

Autrement dit, lorsque le rapport R a une valeur supérieure à 1, la surface de contact 8 est radialement extérieure à la première surface de fixation 4. Dans ce cas, le point le plus intérieur de la surface de contact 8 est plus éloigné de l'axe longitudinal X que le point le plus extérieur de la première surface de fixation 4.In other words, when the ratio R has a value greater than 1, the contact surface 8 is radially exterior to the first fixing surface 4. In this case, the innermost point of the contact surface 8 is further from the longitudinal axis X than the outermost point of the first fixing surface 4.

Ainsi, les surfaces de contact 8, 81 entre les contacts de coupure 1, 11 sont radialement décalées vers l'extérieur par rapport aux tiges 2, 21 d'amenée du courant. Le passage du courant électrique est schématisé sur la figure 6 par les flèches C. La zone à travers laquelle le courant électrique peut transiter est ainsi plus étendue qu'avec les solutions selon l'art antérieur. De plus, comme les contacts de coupure sont de type à champ magnétique radial, l'arc électrique est dévié vers l'extérieur des contacts. Cette configuration permet un meilleur contrôle de l'arc électrique entre les contacts. En particulier, cette configuration permet de séparer la zone de contact électrique et la zone à travers laquelle passe l'arc électrique. Le corps de contact 3 est ici à champ magnétique radial.Thus, the contact surfaces 8, 81 between the cut-off contacts 1, 11 are offset radially outwards with respect to the rods 2, 21 for supplying the current. The passage of electric current is shown schematically on the figure 6 by the arrows C. The zone through which the electric current can pass is thus more extensive than with the solutions according to the prior art. Moreover, as the breaking contacts are of the radial magnetic field type, the electric arc is deflected towards the outside of the contacts. This configuration allows better control of the electric arc between the contacts. In particular, this configuration makes it possible to separate the electrical contact zone and the zone through which the electric arc passes. The contact body 3 here has a radial magnetic field.

Le corps de contact 3 comporte une portion amincie 12 s'étendant depuis l'axe longitudinal X. La portion amincie 12 peut avoir une forme circulaire. La portion amincie 12 est ici formée par un lamage du corps de contact, centré sur l'axe longitudinal X. La première surface de fixation 4 et la surface de contact 8 sont situées sur des faces axiales opposées 13,14 du corps de contact 3.The contact body 3 comprises a thinned portion 12 extending from the longitudinal axis X. The thinned portion 12 can have a circular shape. The thinned portion 12 is here formed by counterboring the contact body, centered on the longitudinal axis X. The first fixing surface 4 and the contact surface 8 are located on opposite axial faces 13,14 of the contact body 3 .

Sur l'exemple ici décrit, et comme représenté sur la figure 2, la surface de butée 6 est au droit de la surface de contact 8 selon une direction D1 parallèle à l'axe longitudinal X. On entend par là que toute droite D1 parallèle à l'axe longitudinal X et passant par la surface de butée 6 passe par la surface de contact 8.On the example described here, and as represented on the picture 2 , the abutment surface 6 is level with the contact surface 8 in a direction D1 parallel to the longitudinal axis X. This means that any straight line D1 parallel to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the abutment surface 6 passes through the contact surface 8.

La figure 5 représente un mode de réalisation d'un corps de contact 3. Sur la figure 5, la surface de contact 8 comporte une pluralité de zones de contact 9 distantes les unes des autres. Afin de faciliter la lecture de la figure 5, les zones de contact 9 sont mises en évidence par des points. Selon des variantes non représentées, la surface de contact 8 peut être en une seule portion continue. C'est notamment le cas lorsque la portion amincie 12 a un diamètre suffisamment faible pour ne pas s'étendre radialement jusqu'aux fentes 16.There figure 5 shows an embodiment of a contact body 3. On the figure 5 , the contact surface 8 comprises a plurality of contact zones 9 spaced apart from each other. In order to facilitate the reading of the figure 5 , the contact areas 9 are highlighted by dots. According to variants not shown, the contact surface 8 can be in a single continuous portion. This is particularly the case when the thinned portion 12 has a sufficiently small diameter not to extend radially as far as the slots 16.

Chaque zone de butée 7 est située au droit d'une zone de contact 9 selon une direction parallèle à l'axe longitudinal X. Comme précédemment, on entend par là que toute droite parallèle à l'axe longitudinal X et passant par une zone de butée 7 passe par une zone de contact 9. Autrement dit, sur une vue selon l'axe longitudinal X, le pourtour d'une zone de butée 7 est à l'intérieur du pourtour d'une zone de contact 9.Each abutment zone 7 is located opposite a contact zone 9 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X. As before, this means that any straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis X and passing through a zone of stop 7 passes through a contact zone 9. In other words, on a view along the longitudinal axis X, the periphery of a stop zone 7 is inside the periphery of a contact zone 9.

Selon cet exemple, le corps de contact 3 a une configuration en spirale, le corps de contact 3 ayant une forme de disque comportant des fentes 16 traversant l'épaisseur du disque, les fentes 16 s'étendant depuis la périphérie 15 du corps de contact 3 vers l'intérieur du corps de contact 3.According to this example, the contact body 3 has a spiral configuration, the contact body 3 having the shape of a disk comprising slots 16 passing through the thickness of the disc, the slots 16 extending from the periphery 15 of the contact body 3 towards the inside of the contact body 3.

Cette configuration permet de favoriser la création d'un champ magnétique radial lorsqu'un arc électrique circule entre les contacts de coupure.This configuration makes it possible to favor the creation of a radial magnetic field when an electric arc circulates between the breaking contacts.

Le corps de contact comprend des branches 18, chaque branche 18 étant comprise entre deux fentes consécutives. Chaque branche 18 est formée par la matière comprise angulairement entre deux fentes 16 consécutives. Les branches 18 s'étendent vers l'extérieur depuis une partie centrale, et comprennent un bord courbe. Selon des variantes non représentées, les branches 18 peuvent avoir d'autres formes. Plus généralement, les branches 18 peuvent avoir n'importe quelle forme permettant que l'arc électrique génère un champ magnétique radial. Sur l'exemple illustré, chaque corps de contact 3, 31 comporte quatre branches 18. L'écart angulaire entre deux branches consécutives est constant, et égal à 90°. Dans les variantes non représentées où les corps de contact 3, 31 possède un nombre de branches 18 différent de quatre, le nombre de zones de butée 7 de la surface de butée 6 est égal au nombre de branches 18 des corps de contact 3, 31. Chaque branche 18 est au droit d'une zone de butée 7. Plus précisément, chaque surface de butée 7 est au droit d'une zone de contact 9.The contact body comprises branches 18, each branch 18 being between two consecutive slots. Each branch 18 is formed by the material angularly between two consecutive slots 16. Legs 18 extend outward from a central portion, and include a curved edge. According to variants not shown, the branches 18 can have other shapes. More generally, the branches 18 can have any shape allowing the electric arc to generate a radial magnetic field. In the example illustrated, each contact body 3, 31 comprises four branches 18. The angular difference between two consecutive branches is constant, and equal to 90°. In the variants not shown where the contact bodies 3, 31 have a number of branches 18 different from four, the number of abutment zones 7 of the abutment surface 6 is equal to the number of branches 18 of the contact bodies 3, 31 Each branch 18 is in line with an abutment zone 7. More precisely, each abutment surface 7 is in line with a contact zone 9.

Les zones de contact 9 s'étendent dans un secteur angulaire de valeur angulaire A5. La portion annulaire de la zone de butée 7 s'étend dans un secteur d'angulaire de valeur angulaire A1 inférieure à la valeur angulaire A5.The contact zones 9 extend in an angular sector of angular value A5. The annular portion of the abutment zone 7 extends in an angular sector of angular value A1 less than the angular value A5.

Dans l'exemple illustré, les fentes 16 sont courbes. Selon des variantes non représentées, les fentes 16 peuvent être rectilignes. Les fentes forment au niveau de la périphérie du disque un angle A2 compris entre 30° et 50° avec la direction radiale. Les fentes 16 s'étendent entre une première extrémité 19 débouchant sur la périphérie du disque et une deuxième extrémité 20, et les fentes forment au niveau de la deuxième extrémité un angle A3 compris entre 70° et 90° avec la direction radiale. L'angle A2 est mesuré au niveau du bord de la fente 16 le plus éloigné de l'axe longitudinal X. L'angle A3 est mesuré au niveau du bord de la fente 16 le plus proche de l'axe longitudinal X.In the example illustrated, the slots 16 are curved. According to variants not shown, the slots 16 can be rectilinear. The slots form at the periphery of the disk an angle A2 of between 30° and 50° with the radial direction. The slots 16 extend between a first end 19 opening onto the periphery of the disc and a second end 20, and the slots form at the level of the second end an angle A3 comprised between 70° and 90° with the radial direction. The angle A2 is measured at the level of the edge of the slot 16 furthest from the longitudinal axis X. The angle A3 is measured at the level of the edge of the slot 16 closest to the longitudinal axis X.

Comme illustré sur la figure 2, le corps de contact 3 comporte une portion biseautée 22 disposée selon une direction radiale Y à l'extérieur de la surface de contact 8.As illustrated on the figure 2 , the contact body 3 comprises a beveled portion 22 arranged in a radial direction Y outside the contact surface 8.

Cette forme permet d'éviter un contact mécanique entre les corps de contact 3, 31 au niveau de leur périphérie. En cas de soudure des corps de contact entre eux au niveau de zones de création d'un arc électrique, le moment exercé par la force visant à séparer les contacts est plus faible que si une soudure était présente en périphérie du corps de contact. Le risque de déformation plastique du contact est limité.This shape makes it possible to avoid mechanical contact between the contact bodies 3, 31 at their periphery. In the event of welding of the contact bodies to each other at the level of zones of creation of an electric arc, the moment exerted by the force aimed at separating the contacts is lower than if a weld were present at the periphery of the contact body. The risk of plastic deformation of the contact is limited.

La portion biseautée 22 forme avec l'axe longitudinal X un angle A4 compris entre 80° et 89°.The bevelled portion 22 forms with the longitudinal axis X an angle A4 of between 80° and 89°.

Le corps de contact 3 comprend un trou de positionnement angulaire 23 et la tige 2 comprend un ergot de positionnement angulaire 24, l'ergot 24 étant inséré dans le trou de positionnement angulaire 23.The contact body 3 comprises an angular positioning hole 23 and the stem 2 comprises an angular positioning lug 24, the lug 24 being inserted into the angular positioning hole 23.

Claims (12)

  1. Electrical breaking contact (1), in particular a radial-magnetic-field electrical breaking contact, for a medium-voltage vacuum interrupter (100), the contact (1) comprising:
    - a rod (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), said rod being configured to be passed through by an electrical current,
    - a contact body (3) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) and comprising a first fastening surface (4), the contact body (3) and the rod (2) being coaxial,
    wherein the rod (2) comprises:
    - a second fastening surface (5) securely fastened to the first fastening surface (4),
    - an abutment surface (6) radially exterior to the second fastening surface (5), the abutment surface (6) being distant from the contact body (3) along the longitudinal axis (X) and turned toward the contact body (3).
    characterized in that the contact body (3) and the abutment surface (6) are configured so that one segment of the contact body (3) makes contact with the abutment surface (6) during a flexion of the contact body (3).
  2. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to Claim 1, wherein a distance (e1), measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), between the abutment surface (6) and the contact body (3), is comprised between 0.2 millimetres and 1.0 millimetres.
  3. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the abutment surface (6) comprises a plurality of abutment regions (7) that are distant from one another.
  4. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod (2) comprises a groove (10) adjacent to the second fastening surface (5).
  5. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact body (3) comprises a contact surface (8) configured to make contact with a second electrical breaking contact (11) placed facing the contact (1), so as to allow an electrical current to pass between the two contacts (1, 11),
    wherein the first fastening surface (4) extends radially between a first internal distance (d4i) and a first external distance (d4e), and the contact surface (8) extends radially between a second internal distance (d8i) and a second external distance (d8e),
    and wherein a ratio between the second internal distance (d8i) and the first external distance (d4e) is higher than or equal to 1.
  6. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the abutment surface (6) is plumb with the contact surface (8) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).
  7. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the contact surface (8) comprises a plurality of contact regions (9) that are distant from one another.
  8. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to the preceding claim, in combination with Claim 3, wherein each abutment region (7) is located plumb with a contact region (9) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).
  9. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact body (3) has a spiral configuration, the contact body (3) having a disc shape comprising slits (16) passing through the thickness of the disc, the slits (16) extending from the periphery (15) of the contact body (3) toward the interior of the contact body (3).
  10. Electrical breaking contact (1) according to one of Claims 5 to 9, wherein the contact body (3) comprises a bevelled segment (22) placed, in a radial direction (Y), to the exterior of the contact surface (8).
  11. Vacuum interrupter (100) comprising a fixed contact (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a movable contact (11) according to one of the preceding claims, the movable contact (11) being movable between a position of contact with the fixed contact (1) allowing a passage of electrical current and a position distant from the fixed contact (1) preventing a passage of current.
  12. Breaking device comprising a vacuum interrupter (100) according to Claim 11.
EP21207156.7A 2020-12-23 2021-11-09 Electrical circuit breaker contact Active EP4020514B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR2014058A FR3118278A1 (en) 2020-12-23 2020-12-23 Electrical cut-off contact

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EP4020514A1 EP4020514A1 (en) 2022-06-29
EP4020514B1 true EP4020514B1 (en) 2023-03-08

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US (1) US11728113B2 (en)
EP (1) EP4020514B1 (en)
CN (1) CN114664599A (en)
ES (1) ES2941369T3 (en)
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US4440995A (en) * 1981-01-19 1984-04-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Vacuum circuit interrupter with on-line vacuum monitoring apparatus
FR2808617B1 (en) * 2000-05-02 2002-06-28 Schneider Electric Ind Sa VACUUM BULB, PARTICULARLY FOR AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTION APPARATUS SUCH AS A SWITCH OR A CIRCUIT BREAKER
US7906742B2 (en) * 2004-07-05 2011-03-15 Abb Research Ltd. Vacuum interrupter chamber and contact arrangement for a vacuum circuit breaker
JP4979604B2 (en) * 2008-01-21 2012-07-18 株式会社日立製作所 Electrical contacts for vacuum valves
US8039771B2 (en) * 2008-08-11 2011-10-18 Eaton Corporation Vacuum envelope including self-aligning end shield, vacuum interrupter, vacuum circuit interrupter and method including the same
EP2434514A1 (en) * 2010-09-24 2012-03-28 ABB Technology AG Vacuum interrupter for a circuit breaker arrangement
KR101415065B1 (en) * 2010-11-17 2014-07-04 엘에스산전 주식회사 Contact apparatus for circuit breaker
US20140048514A1 (en) * 2012-08-20 2014-02-20 Ganesh K. Balasubramanian Contact assembly and vacuum switch including the same
CN203774165U (en) * 2014-04-10 2014-08-13 中国振华电子集团宇光电工有限公司（国营第七七一厂） Contact damping system shock absorption structure
CN203774164U (en) * 2014-04-10 2014-08-13 中国振华电子集团宇光电工有限公司（国营第七七一厂） Contact seat provided with damping structure
US9552941B1 (en) * 2015-08-24 2017-01-24 Eaton Corporation Vacuum switching apparatus and electrical contact therefor

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US20220199342A1 (en) 2022-06-23
FR3118278A1 (en) 2022-06-24
CN114664599A (en) 2022-06-24
US11728113B2 (en) 2023-08-15
EP4020514A1 (en) 2022-06-29
ES2941369T3 (en) 2023-05-22

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